“I walked around the lake, and some jerk cousin of Kendrick’s scared me, and then Kendrick told me I’m not allowed to walk around without him. That’s ridiculous. I’ve walked around without a big man taking care of me half my life, but he thinks I need to be put into a glass cage or something.”
“He’s just trying to take care of you,” Holli replied. “Don’t get upset with him. He’s being protective, and we both know Heather is the one who taught him to be that way.”
“I’m not sure if I’m upset with him or upset with me. He doesn’t want me walking, but I did, and I got scared. I think half of his reaction was because of my fear.”
Holli nodded. “It probably was.” She shook her head. “I need to tell you a story about Beth’s wedding day, and it may help you to understand why he’s being so protective of you.”
“All right…”
“The day Beth and Gavin got married, they realized one of Gavin’s nieces was missing. They looked everywhere for her, and then they found out what had happened. Word had gotten around about his healing power, and she was taken, only to be returned if Gavin would heal their laird.”
Alyssa’s eyes widened. “No way…”
“Oh, yeah. After that, they spread to all their allies that all anyone had to do was ask for Gavin’s help and he would be there. Everyone thought he was using potions and salves, just like they think now, but they knew they needed and wanted him. It spread all over the Highlands, and it hasn’t happened since, but everyone is always worried it will. They did it on a night when the clan was vulnerable, during a transfer of power from laird to his youngest son.” Holli shook her head. “Now, they prefer if no female family members, whether married to a brother or not, and no children, go out without some supervision. I’ve done it a couple of times, and I know Heather has, but Beth feels strongly about it too. He was so busy healing his own clansmen and those of other clans, that he truly didn’t have time for a marriage or to lead his clan, so that’s also when one of the laird’s brothers began to train the men.”
“I understand,” Alyssa said. “Now I just have to figure out how I’m going to follow the rules. Maybe I can learn to use a bow and arrow.”
“Won’t work. I promise. It’s a rule that must be followed and that’s that.”
“So, if I want to go to my cottage right now and start supper, I can’t?” Alyssa asked.
Holli shook her head. “No, it’s more if you go into the woods or around the lake. Why?”
“Kendrick told me not to leave here until he came to fetch me. That feels awfully extreme to me.”
Holli narrowed her eyes. “That’s not the rule for the general family. Maybe it’s just a rule that Kendrick wants you to follow. Until you get to know the area.”
“I can’t feel like I’m living in a glass cage. Don’t get me wrong, I was really scared earlier. But I still feel like he’s going a bit overboard.”
“I do too,” Holli said. “I’ll see what I can find out from Bryson.”
“Have you heard of their cousin, Caelan?” Alyssa asked.
“I don’t think so. Why?”
“He’s the one who scared me. He’s a Campbell, and he was just creepy. But I know Campbells are our allies, right?”
“They are. I’m going to ask Bryson about it. We’ll have an answer tomorrow.”
“And I’m your captive for the afternoon. What shall we do?”
“Well, there are so many options. We could read, or we could game, or we could sew, or we could eat. Eating always sounds good.” Holli grinned at Alyssa.
“That’s because you’re a pregnant bottomless pit! I hope you’re not always this hungry during your pregnancies.” Alyssa tilted her head to one side. “Do you realize that you’re going to spend over five full years of your life pregnant? You’d better get used to it!”
“No, I never really thought of that. That sounds like forever.”
“It does to me too.” Alyssa sighed. “I went to Bonnie’s for my cooking lesson this morning, and the baby was crying nonstop. Bonnie was in tears as well, and she sent me to get Gavin. I don’t know where Gavin and Beth live, of course, so I ran to my cottage, because I remembered Heather said she lived next door. She ran for Gavin, and I ran back to Bonnie…” She took a deep breath. “Gavin healed the baby, and she was fine when we left. But then I had no cooking lesson. I offered to cook for Bonnie and Collum, but she told me she just needed to see to her baby, which I can understand. I mean, I’d freak out too if my daughter was crying like that. So, I didn’t have anything to do until this afternoon, so I decided to go for a walk around the lake…”
“And ran into a Campbell who was a pain in the butt, and then you had Kendrick scold you for doing something you’d never been told was wrong or why it was wrong. I think I’d be furious if I were you.”
“What good would that do? We need to learn how to deal with one another as a married couple,” Alyssa shook her head. “It would be better if I knew him. We married so fast.”
Holli nodded. “We did too. The same day I arrived.”
“Do you feel like you even know Bryson yet?”
“We’re getting there. I love him, but do I know every detail of his life? Nope. Heather tells me stories of him as a boy, which helps some. Beth tells the clan’s history beautifully. I really do need to write it all down when I’m not having a pregnancy the length of an elephant’s.”
“You’ve only been here three months! You haven’t been pregnant long!” Alyssa was certain Holli was having way too much fun watching for pregnancy symptoms. “Were you even queasy this morning?”
“No, Gavin healed me before they left last night. Oh, speaking of which, are you and Kendrick staying for supper tonight?”
Alyssa shook her head. “No, he told me this morning that we need to stay in tonight and get to know each other better. I guess it’s a good sign when he realizes that we need to take time to do that.”
“Of course, it is! I think you two are going to do great together. I kind of half expected you to come here in thirty years and marry my youngest, but I’m glad you’re here now. It’ll be fun being married to twins…”
“Twins that run a clan. Are you sure about this?”
